Employment, the Holidays, and Random DC Moments

December is over half way done and it truly has been a crazy month.  Going back to Thanksgiving, I had a great time in Boston. It was odd not to be home for Thanksgiving. Stephen and I miss our annual game of Battle of Sexes Trivia Pursuit, which is always dramatic and someone ends up mad for a short period of time, but the game is finished (unfortunately with the boys usually winning).  It is unfortunate to miss the game because I am finally at an age where I know the answers to questions and can do a little more than just roll the dice. But it was a great Thanksgiving weekend filled with family.  


On Tuesday after returning back to DC, I got offered a part-time job with HFA and by Thursday I got a full-time job.  I have since accepted the full-time position and will start full-time in the middle of January.  I have been working the last few weeks part-time though.  My official title is still being worked out, but since they are creating a position for me, I have gotten to shape it to what I want in a lot of ways. I will be working with the Federal Policy Director and then taking over some of the Office Management position.  It will be a really good learning experience.  They are really supportive and want to ensure that I am getting what I need out of the position. I have already sat in on conference calls and am giving my opinion on a discussion draft of a bill about educating people and physicians about bleeding disorders, specifically Von Willebrand Disease. I have also gotten to spend time just reading and watching the current healthcare debate. I am now getting paid to do what things I already did! Kisa, who is the Policy Director, is phenomenal.  I have a great deal of support and good people to work with in this position.  


I am going to have to find a balance between my personal opinions and the HFA stance on things. Also, it is also going to be interesting to find a place for my experience with bleeding disorders in this position.  I am looking forward to the challenge and hopefully continue to help the community for as long as I can.  I know that I bring a different perspective than many of the other employees so I look forward to discussions about different policy ideas. 


I am also able to walk to the HFA office, which is very nice.  I am not always a morning person, so the brisk walk helps me wake up and get ready for the day.  Unfortunately, there isn't really a better way to get to work, so for days in the future when it is raining or snowing, my walk to work may become more challenging! 


The Saturday after this, we had our first snow of the season.  It was lovely to watch it fall, but not very fun to walk outside.  DC has a mild winter in comparison to Massachusetts (where most of my family is) but this month it seems to be at the awful temperature of 30-34 degrees. This means that when it is raining, it is an icy rain and when there is no cloud cover, it is just COLD! Compared to what I am used to, this has been something to adapt to.  I am not sure what do after I put on a few layers and still walk outside and am cold! I know I will have a couple of months to figure the weather situation out.  


I have been working close 50 hours a week for the past few weeks, which has been interesting.  I work in the mornings at HFA and at night at the restaurant.  I have been going to museums or coffee shops in between the jobs but also just coming back and taking a nap occasionally.  I will continue to work at the restaurant after the New Year because I do enjoy it and it has been a major place for me to meet people. 


I am looking forward to the next few weeks. I am so excited to go home on Monday. I am going to see a combination of Chapman friends, high school friends, and family.  I am going to be so busy but with the people I love! I am so excited to see everyone because I have learned how many great friends I have on the other side of the country.  I am excited to bake cookies with my Mom and see the family! I am so lucky to have such an amazing place to call home and no matter how long I am away I know that San Diego will always be my home.  


Here are a couple pictures of a few friends and me at the White House Christmas Tree. It was beautiful and a great night in the city! 

Employment

So it has happened. I have found a job. The details are still up in the air and have changed twice this week. I have started working at the Hemophilia Federation of America (HFA).  The week started with a part-time position on the table, but today they offered me a full-time position.  I am going work with them and see what the details are early next week.  


I will update this soon but I thought I would let you all know the exciting news! 

Underemployment

So today marks exactly 6 months since graduation day. I just sent in my first payment for my loans. It is ironic that I have received this college education, that thus far, has me asking people if they want anything to drink. I do not say that because I think I am better than the job I currently have, because I do not. I do know that this position is not what I want to do and as I continue to spend my days reading articles and watching TED videos, I realize how much I enjoy becoming more informed.

I recently looked through my cover letters that I have sent out for about 6 months now. They have definitely improved. There are some that seem more generic and then there are some where I have exaggerated more than I probably should have. Some cover letters have resulted in phone interviews and some have responded in form emails telling that while I have an excellent background or a phenomenal amount of passion, they have found someone with more experience or something of that sort. The problem is that all I have to offer is my passion and willingness to learn.

Six months of apply for jobs and at a very slim estimate of 50 jobs with people I really want to work for, not to mention the random jobs that I find on Craiglist have led me to very little. It is a state of rejection that I have never known before. I have been able to read blogs and talk to friends about how I am not unique. I am competing with people who have graduated this year, last year, and people who are graduating in December at a time where the unemployment rate is higher than it has been in decades. Yet, this information is not always comforting.

Writing a cover letter for a job where the requirements are that I can use a computer, fax machine, and answer phones is challenging. I have to convince people that I am capable of using equipment that I have grown up using. I trying to get people to let me do basic office tasks while making it seem like I will be honored to make them copies and make their travel arrangements. Yet, nothing.

The degree I received in May was worth it. I have friends to commiserate with about being unemployed. I have pictures to fill my room with and I have memories that I will cherish for as long as I live. But as I mark the six month point, I remain underemployed. I am being denied the ability to use my degree and my passion.

I will continue to write the cover letters and send them out. I will contact random people who might be able to help me out. Until I get my chance, I will continue to smile at my customers and tell them how to get water from the Coke machine.

I read a blog recently that mentioned how TV has ruined us! It was quite funny but very true. Shows like Seinfeld and Friends have groups of people who never seem to work and yet live fabulous lives in fabulous apartments. I, too, want to live in New York and go out all the time, live in a beautifully furnished apartment, and never go to work! So if you know how this works, please let me know ASAP! Until then, I will continue to write cover letters.

A Life Update

So as pointed out by Chrissy, I have not written anything in a month! So here is a short update on my life working backwards.

This past weekend was a blast! Alyssa and Amy, two friends from Chapman, came to visit me. It was so nice to have two of my best friends in DC.

We got to go out a little, did some sight-seeing, took an amazing number of pictures, and laughed a lot! It was a good weekend for all of us! The weather was perfect! This is us at the WWII Memorial.

I learned that I have adapted to the cold weather! I didn't think it was cold out, while Alyssa (also from San Diego), told me that it was, in fact, cold. I am still not sure that I will survive the winter.

I am still working at the pizza restaurant. It has been very busy there since Obama mentioned the restaurant in a speech about small businesses. It makes it all the more fun at work. I really like the people I work with. I have been able to go out with one of the woman I work with. She took me to a place with live music in Adams Morgan. It is really nice to be making friends. I ran into an old friend on a bus a couple of weeks ago so that has been nice. I have also met a few customers at work and through some of these people. Unfortunately, I work mostly nights so it has made it difficult to make plans with people. I have also been invited to a few holiday parties, which is exciting!

I am heading to Boston next Wednesday for Thanksgiving. I am so excited to see my brother, Stephen, as well as the rest of the family. It is going to weird to not be with Anthony and my parents but I am happy to be able to see everyone else! I also bought my ticket home for Christmas. I will be home for a week so that will be really nice. When I get back I am going to Philly with another friend from Chapman and then we are going to go to New York City for New Year's Eve, where we will meet up with Craig and few others from Chapman. I am really excited for this!

While I continue the job search, I am taking advantage of being able to take time off from work. Financially, it may not make the most sense, but I am doing just fine there so 2 weeks off around Christmas will be just fine. I have a few leads for openings after the holiday season.

I have also started looking into teaching English abroad next year. I would love to go Africa, but Asian countries have more benefits so I will most likely go there. I am doing my research and looking at Thailand at the moment. =) Studying for the GRE has not been very successful lately, but I am going to set a schedule for myself.

I slipped twice last week calling DC "home" which I think is a good thing. I am feeling good about life!

Love you all!

House Hearing

I have been volunteering with the Hemophilia Federation of America. This week I went to a hearing on the Hill. I really enjoyed it. I have also had the opportunity to meet a few people my age that work on the Hill and have started re-thinking my interest in working on the Hill. Anyway, I was asked to write about the event for the Advocacy Blog. Here is the link to my article. There were also two other people who testified about being under-insured. Their stories were heart-breaking. Luckily the three people affected by their lack of insurance have survived their diseases and difficulties. I am sure that this is not always the case so let’s hope that there will be some reform soon.

http://hemophiliafed.org/2009/10/16/reflections-of-nathan-wilkes’-testimony-before-the-house-subcommittee-on-oversight-and-investigations/

Pictures!

Hello!!! Here's a little photo blog of my time in DC so far. Nothing really exciting but pictures are always fun! I will take pictures of my room/apartment soon too!

National Sculpture Garden fountain

This was the bus stop outside my

house in Maryland.

The Capitol Building on a beautiful day in the city!

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My day at the National Zoo was wonderful. Beautiful animals on a beautiful day!

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I was able to show my Mom around on her first trip to D.C. This is the slightly blurry picture that I got of my parents in front of the White House as they were closing the road so someone important could get in!

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These are just a few pictures from my first march to the Capitol. It was truly an amazing day! I was one of hundreds of thousands of people marching for equality. Among the crowd was Lady GaGa, Cynthia Nixon, who gave an absolutely amazing and inspiring speech, Kristen Chenoweth, and my wonderful friend Craig.

Another one of the signs that was in this group of women said "Jesus had two Dads and he turned out ok." It was one of my favorites of the day. I was pleasantly surprised by the very few anti-equality protesters I saw throughout the day.

We made it to the capitol after a 2 mile march around DC. There were many creative cheers and signs along the way. One of the cheers was 2, 4, 6, 8 Equality in every state!

That is a quick photo summary of my time in DC. I am still looking for jobs and have some networking opportunities this month. I am not sure if I have already said this but one woman I met in September told me that contacts and relationships is the currency of DC so that is what I am doing. I went to a coffee talk on Sunday evening with a group that is interested in international affairs and I met a few people there who had some good pointers.

Love you all and thanks for reading!

New Housing, New Outlook

Hello Everyone! This one is going to be kind of short but here are a few updates on what is going on in DC.

I moved this weekend to the city. I found a place last week and made the decision to move. I am living with two women who also recently graduated from college. They went to Smith in Massachusetts. One is working for the State Department on the envoy for Middle Eastern Peace and the other is temping with a Law Firm. They are very sweet girls and I look forward to getting to know them better. This will be my new home until next September! I have my own room and basically my own bathroom. My room is huge and lacking furniture at the moment, but there is a mattress on the way! The kitchen is large and the living room came furnished which is really nice.

The neighborhood is also really nice. I went for a lovely run to the Farmer's Market and then walked to a grocery store. It was a perfect day. As I wandered I found lots of restaurants, shops, and a park. I am excited for the leaves to start changing because the walk is going to get even prettier.

It is really nice to have my housing squared away. I am going to be able to make this into a home for the next year and now I just need the job to go along with it!

I am excited for this month though! I have a few networking events with a non-profit group in the area. I am going to a coffee talk with an International Affairs group. I am going to have dinner with some relatives that I haven't seen in a long time and another few that I have only met through email. It is exciting to have plans and have the prospects of meeting new people and making new connections, both socially and (hopefully) career-wise.

I reached a lull and lacked some motivation for a little while and now I am getting excited again. I know that I can do this and it just takes time for things to come together and work out! There is just something about wandering around and looking up to see the Capitol building in the distance that is just a great feeling to have!

I hope all is well and I love you all! Thanks for reading!

The First Month of DC

I have been in DC for just about a month now. It has been less exciting at times than I have hoped. I have learned how to spend unprecedented time by myself, started studying for the GRE, and have been reading a lot. I am currently reading a book that has made it through the family about a woman in her late-20s who moves to DC to work for a Senator. While my life is far less eventful in comparison it is exciting to know the places she is referring to! I am also reading a book called Hope is a Tattered Flag which is really good. It is a serious of interviews done by two journalist of politicians, academics, other journalists, and CEOs about political issues and the road our country is heading down. It is really interesting and I am happy to report that there is hope for the future!

While the job hunt is still going on, I believe that my network of people is slowly getting larger. An old friend from high school moved here and he recently contacted me so we are going to get together, so it will be nice to see a familiar face. I have also had a chance to meet up with one of my Aunt's friend. We went to Georgetown, which was really fun. I also am getting to know one of the woman that I work with and I think we might hang out. I know that I just need to start with a couple of people because that will allow me to meet more people! That is why I left everyone I know back home!

My friend Janille told me about Meetup.com which is a site that groups can post events or meetings from anything like rock climbing to politics. I have joined an International Affairs group. They meet once or twice a month for coffee and talk about a topic that has been pre-chosen. I am excited to go to that in a couple of weeks. It should be a good way to meet people and network with people who are interested in the same things I am.

I represent my Red Sox at work and it is a good conversation starter. I met one woman the other night who is in the Peace and Conflict graduate program at Georgetown who is also a Red Sox fan and I think we are going to get together to watch a game or two. It has also began conversations about what I am doing here. I told my Mom that I think it might result in some new contacts in the field that I want to enter and maybe a job (that's me being REALLY hopeful). It almost did a couple of weeks ago but they were just visited DC so they couldn't help me unless I moved to their city!

I am still looking for housing in the city. I am going to have a fun entry about public transportation very soon but it is the most wonderful thing but when my commute costs be an hour's worth of work there is some cost benefit analysis that needs to take place. I am looking at a few places this weekend. Hopefully I will be able to find something before I have to pay another month's rent.

My parents came to DC last weekend for a conference. It was really nice to see them and since my Mom has never been here we did a lot of walking and went to a couple of museums. Unfortunately, their time here was short but we enjoyed it. I think it was comforting for all three of us to see each other. The weather was amazing while they were here, and really had been excellent. I went to lunch with them at their conference and met some people who work for the Hemophilia Federation of America. I am going to start volunteering at their office on Monday. They are doing a lot with the current health care bill and I should be able to gain experience with them. It will also be something to do during the day since I mainly work nights.

I have realized that I kept myself busy for a reason. I did things I enjoyed and enjoyed doing my reading and researching for class. This also made free time more exciting and relaxing. As I continually look for jobs and housing, my down time is infiltrated with what I should be doing or what I could be doing. I am hoping to find another place to volunteer at in the afternoon so that I can look for jobs in the mornings and volunteer at a couple of places in the afternoon.

I am not going home for Thanksgiving for the first time, but I did buy a plane ticket to Boston to spend it with extended family and my brother. I am also hoping to make it up to New York in October or November. The Mega Bus goes there for $1-9 so it should be doable. I really want to take advantage of being so close to other cities. Baltimore is close and while not many people have good things to say about it, I am sure I will make it there soon as well! Philly is on my list as well because I have never been there! I am just trying to fill my time and manage my money, while enjoying myself and making sure that I am happy!

Thanks for reading!

2 Weeks

So I have been in DC for two weeks now. I have been enjoying myself, but I have also had more free time than I know what to do with. I got a part-time job at a pizza place. It is funny because I knew moving to DC meant I would have to get more professional clothes and be prepared to walk around in heals for the day at my fabulous new job in DC. What actually has happened is that I wear jeans, one of my two pairs of sneakers, and a baseball hat to work!

Nonetheless it is exciting. I know this job is not forever and I just have to keep looking and applying. Some family and friends have put me in contact with people here so I have been reaching out to them. I met with one woman on Wednesday and she was so nice. She packed up her car and moved to DC a few years ago. It all worked out for her, so I am going to use that as good news for me. She was also saying that the currency in DC is connections/contacts. So if anyone knows anyone here let me know!

I moved into my new place (for now) last week. I am living with a very nice woman. She is very rarely home, while I feel like I spend most of my time here. We get along really well, but the place is in Maryland and I didn't move across the country to live in the suberbs so I am looking for somewhere in the city for October. I am getting more comfortable and therefore willing to sign a longer lease.

As for the housing search, I met with two very nice women yesterday. They also just graduated from college in May and packed two bags and moved to DC. They are both employed now, which also seems like a good sign for me! They were awesome and I really hope that we can all live together. I think we would have a lot of fun and are looking for similar things for housing. We are also all liberal and looking into different fields of nonprofits. All very positive things!

It was also really nice to chat with them about the move and graduating. I am glad to know that I am not alone in being freaked out, exciting, and confused all at the same time. It has been quite the experience. I am used to having most of my friends within 5 minutes of me all of the time and now not only are they not in walkng distance, but I can't see them at all! There have been days where I just won't talk to anyone in person other than the cashier or bus driver.

The weather has been so lovely too! It has been cloudy and rainy everyday this week. I love it! I went for a run yesterday (funny I know!) and found that there are trails not too far away from where I am living. It is called Rock Creek Park and it is huge. It come out to where I am in Maryland and goes all the way to Georgetown. It was so nice to just wander around in the park a little bit. There was also this beautiful red bird in the tree outside my window.

My brother got me this book for graduation called DC- Not for Tourists. It has all sorts of things to do--restaurants, bars, hikes, museums, etc. I have been looking through that and making lists of all the things I want to do. The city has so much to offer and there are so many states all around me to explore! I now have the free time to do it so I am trying to take advantage of it all!

I am confident that with time the job, housing, and friends will come and in the mean time I am always on the phone so feel free to call! I will more than likely be able to pick up. I miss you all dearly! Also, I finally bought a webcam and want to use it! So if you have Skype or google video look me up! My Skype name is Pas-scooch!

The Weekend

I am sitting in the National Sculpture Garden by a lovely fountain, which people are allowed to put their feet in! It is a beautiful day in the sun and the shade. I just walked down Constitution Ave. I was able to walk passed the amazing old buildings throughout the city. I have only been here in Match, when there is little to no green so it is fun to see grass along the National Mall and flowers on the walkways. I am really enjoying my time here so far. I have been staying College Park, Maryland with Craig. He has been so helpful. We walked miles this weekend looking at places to live and I think the winner in a month to month place in Maryland. I will be living with a very nice woman and another roommate that she is still looking for.

I may potentially intern at Play Pumps International which is funded under the Case Foundation. They build water pumps in Southern Africa which are also playgrounds for children. Lack of clean water is the leading cause of disease and it is also extremely time consuming to obtain. Play Pumps attempts to bring water closer to towns in Africa, which provide people with clean water and also cuts down on the time that people, mostly the women, spend walking to get water every day. It also has a health education division. The pumps also serve as a way to educate people on important topics such as AIDS. The CEO has a lot of experience in economic and community development which is the field I am most interested in.

There is this feeling in DC. It is this feeling of change, and not Obama change. What people seem to have forgotten is that Obama is not the first or the only person to want to make changes. In fact, out government is an institution that will consistently make change. People seem to care here. People know what is going on to some extent and not always because they want to know, but they just can’t help but know. There are people young and old, conservative, liberal and everything in between who believe that they are working towards making the world a better place. The tourists wandering around the streets are here to look at art and history. They want to have an impact on the world we live in and that is a beautiful thing.

I am enjoying my time here thus far and if everything works out I do believe that I could be here for a long time.

The Flight

So I am off to DC! I was given two journals, both of which I packed and am unable to get to while I am on the plane. I am sitting in between a man reading a magazine about guns, what they do, and how to use them…scary! On the other side of my I have an old woman who is reading a book about Aura and Chakra. I am sitting in the middle listen to Lady Gaga, Miley Cyrus (Alyssa gets credit for that one!), and various other quality artists reading about racism and community. It is funny how life works like that.

I had an amazing time at home the last few weeks. It was relaxing and nice to see my San Diego friends! I was enjoying what California has to offer—sun, Disneyland, the beach, and fun restaurants with twinkle lights =)

Leaving my friends and family is really hard, but I don’t think it has hit me yet. I think it will take time to realize this isn’t just another trip but a move. Craig (a friend from Chapman) is going to school at the University of Maryland. He has been there since July. He is being the most amazing friend and picking me up from the airport and letting me stay with him for a little while. I will also be taking him with me to look at places to live! I cannot thank him enough because without him I don’t know that I would be going through with this entire move!

I have been in contact with a few people who I will meet this weekend to potentially live with. Some are outside the city and some are in the city. I really want to live in the city because if I am going to do this I should go it right! I think it is time to get out of the suburbs for a little while as least.

A few things that I am really excited about—

▪ Going to museums for free all the time

▪ Taking the Metro and busses to get from home to work

▪ The potential for anything to happen

▪ To meet new people

▪ To be able to go from Maryland to Virginia and back again within the matter for an hour!

▪ Day and weekend trips to a new state!

▪ Exploring DC—finding my favorite coffee shop, painting and restaurant/bar!

▪ Taking advantage of the constant flow of free speakers that go through DC

▪ Skype and gmail video chat

▪ A plethora of diversity, in every sense of the word

A few things that will this adventure more challenging

▪ Weather—this is something I am excited for because I think that the Fall and Spring are beautiful, it is the other seasons that make me a little more nervous

▪ Job hunting—I am trying real hard but it is definitely not the ideal time to look for a job!

▪ As many of you may be aware, DC is not one of the safest cities in the United States. Last summer I lived in one of the safest cities in the United States. This may restrict my ability to explore on my own, at least for a little while

▪ Being so far away from my friends and family that there is a 3 hour time difference

Thank you for reading this! I am so grateful to have so many amazing friends and an amazing and supportive family. I am taking a BIG risk and I have had some heated discussions along the way but have gotten so much support. You all telling me that I can do it and at the very least it will be a fun adventure for a little while, is why I believe that I can do this! You have given me the confidence to give the crazy world of Washington DC a try!

I love and miss you!